Hair clipper



April 24, 1934. J, OYSTER 1,956,042

' HAIRCLIPPER Filed Nov. 27. 1931 2 Sheets Sheet 1 v J. OSTER HAIR CLIPPER April 24, 1934.

Filed NOV. 27. 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 y INVENTOR.

Patented Apr. 24, 1934 PATENT OFFICE I HAIR CLIPPER,

John Oster, Racine, Wis., assignor to John Oster Manufacturing Co., Racine, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application November 27, 1931, Serial No. 511,451

11 Claims.

' This invention relates in general to hair clippers and more particularly to hair clippers of the type having unitary cutting assemblies, that is, assemblies of fixed and movable blades which may be readily attached to and detached from the main portion of the clipper.

One of the principal objects of the present invention is to provide ahair clipper of this character wherein the cutter assembly is so organized with the other elements of the clipper that the cutter assembly may be readily and easily removed, cleaned, sterilized and replaced while the clipper is running or removed and replaced while the clipper is running with another size, type or style of cutter assembly.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hair clipper having these advantages and capacities and which is simple and durable in construction, reliable and efiective in operation and comparatively easy and inexpensive to manufacture.

Incarrying out the present invention, as applied to a power clipper, the usual clipper body is provided which serves as a casing for the motor and driving instrumentalities and as a handle. The motor drives a vibrating. lever, the outer end of which interfits with and reciprocates the movable blades of the cutting assembly when the cutting assembly is operatively related to the body portion and to the lever or driving mechanism. The cutter assembly comprises a fixed blade, a movable blade and a combined tensioning and guide plate and in addition has one of the elements of the coupling means providing for the quick detachment of the assembly from the body of the clipper. This coupling means includes a socket-like structure on the cutting assembly and a swingable tongue on the body portion, the tongue being pivoted or hinged to the body portion and being releasably secured in either oper-- ative or inoperative position. 7

To remove the cutter assembly it is pressed forwardly and downwardly, this motion being provided by the swinging of the tongue about its hinge or pivot. As a result, the cutter assembly is moved from its operative position wherein its movable blade has a driving connection with the vibrating lever to its inoperative position wherein the driving connection is interrupted and wherein the tongue and socket of the coupling means. are readily disconnected. Replacing the same or another cutter assembly requires a reversal of the operation described.

Other objects and advantages reside in certain novel features of the construction, arrangement and combination of parts which will be hereinafter more fully described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in which:

'Figure 1 is a view in side elevation showing a hair clipper embodying the present invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view on an enlarged scale illustrating the cutter assembly and associated portion in connection and other parts in side elevation;

Figure 3 is a group view in perspective showing the cutter assembly disassembled from the clip Figure 4 is a view, in transverse section taken on line 44 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 isa similar view showing a slightly modified form of construction;

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figures 4 and 5 showing still another modification; and

Figure 7 is a fragmentary perspective view further showing the modification illustrated in Figure 6.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1 designates the body portion or casing of a power.operated hair clipper. This casing contains a motor operated driving mechanism (not shown) which vibrates a driving lever 3 fulcrumed intermediate its ends on a post'4 secured in the forward end of the body portion 1. The casing also serves as the handle of the clipper.

A cutter assembly designated generally at 7 is provided and consists of a fixed blade 8,'a movable blade 9 fitted on the fixed blade for sliding movement thereacross, and a combined tensioning and guide plate 10. The plate 10 has rearward extensions or portions 10 secured by suitable screws 11 to the fixed blade and also has a V-shaped guide rib 12 extending transversely of its forward edge and fitted in a guide groove 13 of the movable blade 9. In all substantial respects, this cutting assembly is the same as that forming the subject matter of my pending application for Unitary cutting assembly for hair clippers, filed August 25, 1930, Serial No. 477,535.

The quick detachable coupling or connecting means employed between the cutter assembly and the body of the clipper consists of a socket-like structure in the form of a strap 15 having offset 1 attach ng portions 16 secured to the fixed blade by the screws 11 which also attach the combined guide and tensoning plate 10 thereto. Cooperable with the socket-structure 15 is a tongue 17 having at one end a bearing 18-fitted on a pivot pin 19.

The pivot pin 19 extends transversely between and is supported at its ends in rearward extension 20' of a mounting plate 20 fitted in a recess 21 provided therefor in the forward end portion of the body portion of the clipper; The mounting plate is secured in position by countersunk screws orstuds 22. The central portion of the mounting plate is recessed as at 23 so that in the operative position of the cutting assembly, the interfitted socket 15 and tongue 17 are positively interlocked with the mounting plate. Due to the provision of clearance indicated at 23 between the body of the socket structure 15 and the inner wall of the recess 23 and to the fact that the engaging surfaces of the socket 15 and recess 23 are inclined as shown in Figure 4, Wear is taken up automatically. Clearance designated at 17' may also be provided between the tongue 17 and socket 15, if desired.

When the cutter assembly is in operative position the notch 9' in the movable blade receives the end 3' of the driving lever 3 so that a driving relation is established between the driving mechanism and the cutter assembly. Moreover, in this position of the parts, the attaching portions 10' of the combined guide and tensioning plate 10 abut machined faces 21' provided on the mounting plate 20 on each side of its recess 21 thereby properly positioning the cutting assembly. The cutting assembly is held in this position by the action of a leaf spring 25 fastened as at 26 to the underside of the mounting plate and having an angled end portion 27 coacting with angularly disposed surfaces 28 and 29 on the bearing 18 of the tongue 1'7 to releasably hold the tongue and consequently the cutter assembly, either in its operative position illustrated in full lines in Figure 2, or in its inoperative position illustrated in dotted lines in said figure.

Usually the frictional engagement between the tongue 17-and the socket 15 is sufiicient to retain the parts in position, especially as the drag on the underside of the fixed blade, when the clipper is in use, tends to maintain this position. If desired, however, some form of a releasable though positive retaining means may be provided.

One form of releasable or positive retaining means is illustrated in Figure 5 and consists simply of an extension 40 on the forward end of the spring 25, the extension overlying the recess 23 and being engageable with one edge of the socket structure 15 when the cutting assembly is in operative position. Sufficient clearance is provided between the extension 40 of the spring and the socket structure 15 to permit the parts to be readily engaged and disengaged.

Another manner of effecting this purpose is illustrated in Figures 6 and 7 wherein the mounting plate 20 is shown as having a lug 41 integral therewith, the lug 41 being engageable in a notch 42 formed in the socket structure 15 when the cutting assembly is in operative position.

To enclose the lever, tension plate and the major portion of the movable cutting blade in the assembly, a cap 35 is provided and is releasably secured in position by screws 36.

With the construction described, the cutter assembly may be taken off when the device is runis in the dotted line position. The cutter assembly may be cleaned and replaced or it may be replaced by a cutter assembly of different size, design or style by first inserting the tongue 17 in the socket of the cutter assembly and then snapping the cutter assembly back to the full line position shown in Figure 2. The invention makes it possible to utilize a sterilized cutter assembly for each clipping operation as well as to use different types of cutter assemblies for different cutting operation. It is to be understood that it is frequently desirable in cutting hair to use one type of cutter on the neck and sides of the head and others on the upper portions of the head.

The embodiments of the invention shown in the drawings and described above has been selected for the purpose of illustration and it is to be understood that various changes in the size, shape and arrangement of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

The invention claimed is:

1. A hair clipper comprising a body portion,

a cutter assembly, driving mechanism associated with said body portion and operable to actuate said cutter assembly when the latter is connected in operative relation thereto and connecting means between said body portion and said outter assembly including a tongue pivoted to the body portion, a socket structure associated with related to the driving mechanism, readily releas- I.

able means for attaching the cutter assembly to the body portion and maintaining it in operative relation to the driving mechanism and consisting of inter'engageable coupling members on the body portion and cutter assembly, said coupling members being engageable with and disengage-1 able from each other upon relative sliding movement and being shiftably interconnected with the body portion whereby the cutter assembly may be' pressed downwardly and outwardly when the clipper is running to move the cutter assembly as a unit'out of driving relation with respect to the driving mechanism and thereafter the coupling members may be disengaged by sliding one'relative to the other, and means carried by 1.

the clipper and cooperable with one of said coupling members to prevent relative sliding movement of the coupling members and consequent disengagement thereof when the cutter as-' sembly is in operative position, said last named means consisting of a projection on the clipper engageable with 'one of said coupling members in the operative-position of the cutter assembly.

3. A hair clipper having a body portion, a unitary cutting assembly comprising cooperable cutters and guiding and tensioning means for the cutters, al connectible with and disconnectible from the body portion as a unit and connecting means between the unitary cutting assembly and the body portion permitting swinging movement of the cutting assembly with respect to the body portion and including interengageable coupling members. between the cutter assembly and the body portion providing for the operative connection and engagement of the cutter assembly with the body portion and the disconnection of the same therefrom upon swinging of the cutter assembly relative to the body portion and discon- 'nectio of the coupling members relative to each ter assembly with the body portion and the disconnection of the same therefrom upon swinging of the cutter assembly relative to the body portion and disconnection of the coupling members relative to each other, said cutting assembly and said body portion having lateral surfaces positively interfitting when the cutter assembly is in operative position to hold the cutter assembly in proper position and prevent wobbling or vibration thereof.

5. A hair clipper comprising a body portion, a unitary cutting assembly comprising cooperable cutters and guiding and tensioning means for the cutters, all connectible with and disconnectible from the body portion as a unit, a tongue pivoted to the body portion and a socket structure mounted on one of the cutters and in which the tongue is slidably fitted in the assembly whereby the cutter assembly may be operatively connected with or disconnected from the body portion upon swinging of the cutter assembly, socket and tongue relative to the body portion and sliding of the socket relative to the tongue.

6. A hair clipper comprising a body portion, a tongue pivoted to the body portion, a complete unitary cutter assembly consisting of cooperable cutters and guiding and tensioning means therefor, a socket structure mounted on one of the cutters and in which said tongue is slidably fitted in the assembly and means on the body portioncooperable with the socket structure tor preventing relative sliding movement of the tongue and socket when the cutter assembly is operatively positioned with respect to the body portion.

'7. A hair clipper comprising a body portion, a unitary cutter assembly consisting of a stationary cutter, a movable cutter cooperable therewith, and a combined guide and tension plate secured to said stationary cutter and engaged with said movable cutter to constrain the latter to-proper movement and to set up proper tension betweensaid cutters, mechanism associated with said body portion and operable to actuate said movable cutter when the cutter assembly is disposed in operative relation there-- to, and readily releasable connecting means be-- tween said body portion and said cutter assembly comprising a tongue pivoted to the body portion, a socket structure associated with the cuta ter assembly and in which said tongue is releasable and slidably fitted, means. coactingwith the tongue to relea'sably secure it against s winging when the cutter assembly is operatively related to the driving mechanism and also when the cutter assembly is swung to released position wherein the cutter assembly may be readily disengaged from the body portion with a sliding movement, and means on the body portion cooperable with said socket for preventing relative sliding movement of the tongue and socket when the cutter assembly is operatively related to the driving mechanism. I

8. A hair clipper comprising a body portion, a unitary cutter assembly consisting of a stationary cutter, a movable cutter cooperable therewith, and a combined guide and tension plate secured to said stationary cutter and engaged with said movable cutter to constrain the latter to proper movement and to set up proper'tension between said cutters, driving mechanism associated with said body portion and operable to actuate-said movable cutter when the cutter assembly is disposed in operative relation thereto, and readily releasable connecting means between said body portion and said cutter assembly comprising a tongue pivoted to the body portion, a socket structure associated with the cutter assembly and in which said tongue is releasable and slidably fitted, and means coacting with the tongue to releasably secure it against swinging when the cutter assembly is operatively related to the driving mechanism and also when the cutter assembly is swung to released position wherein the cutter assembly may be readily disengaged from the body portion with a sliding movement.

9. A hair clipper comprising a body portion, a cutter assembly, driving mechanism carried by the body portion for driving the cutter, pivot means connecting the cutter assembly and clipper body whereby the assembly may be swung as a unit to and from operative engagement with respect to the driving mechanism, and resilient means associated with said pivot means operating to snap the cutting assembly into eithen operative or inoperative position from a dead center position intermediate the limits of its swinging movement.

10. A hair clipper comprising a body portion, a

cutter assembly, driving mechanism carried by thebody portion for driving the cutter, pivot means connecting the cutter assembly and clipper body whereby the assembly may be swung as a unit to and from operative engagement with respect to the driving mechanism, and automatic locking means operative to hold the cutting as- .ing mechanism, and means for resiliently ur ing the cutting assembly into operative engagement with respect to the driving mechanism whereby the cutting assembly may be operatively engaged with the driving mechanism while the latter is in operation.

' JOHN OSTER. 

